Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Question: My dog does not listen to me, what should I do?
Answer: If your dog isn’t listening to you, they may be distracted by their surroundings. Proper training and socialisation with other people and dogs from puppyhood is essential in having a stable dog that listens to commands. Make sure you are consistent with your commands. Dogs will associate your commands with specific activities and behaviour, so always back up your commands with action.
Body language and tone of voice are important. Dog-speak is best accomplished with a combination of physical signals and vocal tone that expresses your meaning. How many times have you heard someone say ‘sit?’ sounding as if there’s a question mark at the end? You are not asking a question: give an assertive, yet calm command.
A common mistake is touching the dog while the dog is misbehaving. You must never touch a dog if his behaviour is not acceptable because he will consider your touch and attention a reward – sending a mixed signal.
Don’t yell. Dogs will tune out yelling and uncontrolled behaviour, even from their owners. And remember, nothing can substitute for proper training. Seek professional dog training services for the best results.
* For more information on pet needs and a wide range of pet products and services, visit petarabia.com, call 17592288, email at info@petarabia.com, or check out the social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @petarabia.
